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Harlow fire deaths: Funeral for Shakoor family held | |
(35 minutes later) | |
The funeral of a doctor and her five children who died in a house fire in Essex has been taking place. | The funeral of a doctor and her five children who died in a house fire in Essex has been taking place. |
Dr Sabah Usmani and her sons Sohaib, 11, and Rayyan, six, and daughter Hira, 13, died in the blaze in Harlow on 15 October. | Dr Sabah Usmani and her sons Sohaib, 11, and Rayyan, six, and daughter Hira, 13, died in the blaze in Harlow on 15 October. |
A third son, Muneeb, nine, and daughter Maheen, three, both died in hospital. | A third son, Muneeb, nine, and daughter Maheen, three, both died in hospital. |
Dr Usmani's husband Dr Abdul Shakoor, released from hospital on Friday, is leading the family and community funeral at Harlow Islamic Centre. | Dr Usmani's husband Dr Abdul Shakoor, released from hospital on Friday, is leading the family and community funeral at Harlow Islamic Centre. |
'Touches every one' | |
The funeral procession left east London for Harlow, before arriving with a police entourage at the centre just before midday. | |
Ajaib Hussain, centre chairman, said: "We are all touched by the loss of loved ones. | |
"When six members of a family are lost so quickly then it touches every one, especially when it involves children. | |
"It is a very emotional day for us." | |
The six coffins were taken into the centre and laid to rest in a row at the side. Three had wreaths bearing pink roses and white lillies, the other three were adorned with blue and white flowers. | The six coffins were taken into the centre and laid to rest in a row at the side. Three had wreaths bearing pink roses and white lillies, the other three were adorned with blue and white flowers. |
It is understood about 200 mourners were inside the centre, where prayers were said. | |
Pay their respects | |
Those attending included Dr Shakoor's family from Pakistan, teachers and pupils who studied alongside the children, members of the Islamic community and representatives from the emergency services. | |
Maulana Saleem Nuaab, trustee of the centre, told mourners "whoever comes into this world has to pass from this world". | |
Imam Muhammed Saleem led prayers for the family. | |
The service will be followed by a private religious burial at the Parndon Wood Cemetery. | |
Members of the public are understood to be lining the route to pay their respects to Dr Usmani and her children. | Members of the public are understood to be lining the route to pay their respects to Dr Usmani and her children. |
An investigation into the cause of the fire continues. Police have said despite initial concerns the cause of the fire was suspicious, no accelerant for the fire had been found. | An investigation into the cause of the fire continues. Police have said despite initial concerns the cause of the fire was suspicious, no accelerant for the fire had been found. |
It is believed it started in the lounge area, which is towards the rear of the end-terrace house in Barn Mead. | It is believed it started in the lounge area, which is towards the rear of the end-terrace house in Barn Mead. |